KNOWLEDGE OF WOMEN ABOUT RISK FACTORS AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR BREAST CANCER: A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: to discuss, through a narrative literature review, women’s knowledge of risk factors and strategies for the prevention and early detection of breast cancer, with emphasis on barriers to adherence and on the role of Primary Health Care and Brazilian nursing. Method: narrative literature review, conducted between January and May 2026, in the SciELO,Virtual Health Library, PubMed/MEDLINE and LILACS databases, using descriptors validated in DeCS/MeSH. Articles published between 2020 and 2026, in Portuguese, English or Spanish, were included, along with institutional documents from INCA, the Ministry of Health and IARC. The appraisal of sources was guided by the criteria of the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA). Results and discussion: the literature confirms breast cancer as the most incident neoplasm among women worldwide and in Brazil and highlights gaps in users’ knowledge regarding risk factors and screening guidelines. Personal, informational, sociocultural and structural barriers to adherence are identified, on which markers of gender, race, education and territory operate. Primary Care and nursing work emerge as key elements for health education, welcoming and timely referral to mammographic screening. Final considerations: the women’s knowledge presents gaps and its translation into adherence is mediated by barriers crossed by social markers. Qualified health education and strengthening Primary Care are central paths to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with the disease in Brazil.